The film is not only great in terms of content but also incredibly refined in its details.
At first, I watched with mere curiosity, but I gradually became captivated by the plot and the intriguing characters. In the end, I was stunned to realize that the film not only reflects a contemporary perspective but also serves as a voice for marginalized groups in society. I am truly grateful to director-screenwriter Kim Tae Hee for creating a work with an all-female perspective—something I have always hoped to see in a film.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Friendly Rivalry was NOT queerbaiting and here's why.
It's been a while since I haven't been this drawn to a K-Drama series, and Friendly Rivalry has got to be, hands down, one of the best GL series I've encountered. Of course, this is just a personal opinion, but again, this series contains a beautifully woven intricate relationship between the two main leads, Seulgi and Jae-yi—played by Hyeri and Subin, the two actors who did an amazing job! Although there are barely any intimate scenes between the two characters (It isn't necessary anyway..), the 24/7 tension between them and the obvious admiring and loving of each other are proofs that this series is indeed not queerbaiting. I hope the audience understands what I meant by that.As a hopeless romantic and also a person who has experienced love without any kissing or intimacy, I truly believe that love stories (like Friendly Rivalry) do not necessarily need those kissing scenes or intimate scenes to prove the love between the characters. If you paid attention while watching the series, you could definitely tell that there is something going on between the two of them, not to mention the intense tension the two characters have whenever they are together.
From Jae-yi being obsessed with Seulgi and fighting off her bullies for her at the beginning of the school year to (SPOILER ALERT) her sacrificing her own relationship with her father to defend Seulgi and finally admitting that the drugs she gave Seulgi during their midterm exams were not drugs but rather, vitamins, the relationship between them is even more romantic than you'll ever think. THIS IS PURE ROMANTICISM, and plus, this is a high-school drama. We have to prove the homophobes what WLW truly is and stop fetishizing and sexualizing high schoolers.
I've seen people complaining about the ending, but honestly, in my opinion, I think it was the most perfect way to end a series that has a plot like this. (SPOILER ALERT) Seulgi has quitted her drug addiction, and both Jae-yi and Jena have found their inner peace without any interference by their devilish father or any rivalry between the two of them. Jae-yi even sends a box to Seulgi, so this basically means that the story between them hasn't ended yet!
I truly hope Friendly Rivalry becomes an exemplary to both the audience and upcoming GL movies/series. I'm also really looking forward to Season 2 (if there is one). Again, amazing job done by Subin and Hyeri! We can't wait for their new upcoming works!
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PLEASE WATCH THIS DRAMA ITS REALLY GOOD I SWEAR!?!
If ur planning to watch this, Im telling you this is a freaking masterpiece even though I haven’t finished it yet😂, but anyways i love the cast, i love the story, i love everything its just perfect. Please leave a review to support them guys!! lets support them and give them the love that they deserved because I know they worked hard for this series so please support the series! 😫Also hyeri and subin did such a good acting like damnn😮💨They have a good ass chemistry. Its a very addicting series to watch!!!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Friendly rivarly
Hmm how to start....okay first thing I have never watched anything with Lee Hye Ri, I have considered May I help you but still nope, I do not know, I just did not like her, without any reason to be honest - this drama change it and I for sure will give her other roles a chance. She played really well - in two scenes she looked a little like idols - Aisha (from everglow, I love this group) and Karina.Second I know many people watched it because of girl love and some will not watch it because of it or will not watch because there is not enough of this - either way you should give it a chance, it is really a good drama. Although if girl love really bothers you, you can easily avoid this scenes - spoiler - in my opinion there is only one scene you can not like in matter.
You can watch it as they are really really close friendship - in my opinion it is clear that they care about each other very much and ot is clear for me in which way but still can pass ad friendship if you prefer it that way.
Hmm what I do not really like was masturbation part but at the same time it is normal, so not big deal, it was made with taste?
If you are afraid that there are nudity or anything then do not worry, well it is clear when they talk about sex etc but still made "family friendly".
In the end I actually like all main characters - I know that Choi Young Je was bad guy but still I like him. I find it funny how there are Yeri and Seulgi - my Red velvet heart likes it XD
One thing that does not make sense for me in last episode - spoiler - why they make a surgery and not make her vomit? I do not understand it from medical point of view, from story point I understand that it was more intense - so yeah in this terms it makes sense.
Let's move on to the ending - I like it, I do not think they need a second season.
To sum up - you should totally watch it, only 16 episodes which last only 30 minutes, it makes it so easy to watch, the storyline is great, there is some mistery and dark reality. In my opinion really good drama.
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Truly Disappointing
The premise of this show had a lot of potential in it, but none of it is really executed properly and because of this, there was nothing going for it. At a certain point, no twists in the plot could go over its predictable nature as well. Not to mention, the number of hard cuts that are in it which just confuses the hell out of you even more. It's Hype and that's it. The only real value in this show was the production quality which is to be expected and soundtracks and they ain't out of this world territory. At the end, Don't Watch It. It's truly not worth any of yea's time.Was this review helpful to you?
overall review
"Friendly Rivalry" is an engaging teen mystery thriller that immerses viewers in the competitive and high-stakes environment of an elite high school. Set at Chaehwa Girls’ High School, the drama revolves around the fierce academic rivalry among its top students, particularly focusing on Yoo Je-Yi (played by Lee Hye-ri) and Woo Seul-Ki (Jung Soo-bin). The series explores the complexities of friendship, ambition, and psychological manipulation as these two characters navigate their intertwined lives.Yoo Je-Yi is portrayed as the school’s queen bee—intelligent, beautiful, and highly manipulative. Lee Hye-ri’s performance in this role is a significant departure from her previous work, showcasing her ability to embody a character who is both ruthless and vulnerable. The emotional depth she brings to Je-Yi makes her a captivating and multi-dimensional character. Her portrayal of a young woman dealing with the pressures of competition and personal turmoil adds a layer of realism that resonates with the audience.
On the other hand, Woo Seul-Ki, a transfer student from a rural orphanage, represents the underdog in this high-stakes environment. As she becomes embroiled in the intense rivalry with Je-Yi, viewers witness her struggle to find her place while also uncovering the mystery surrounding her father's death. Jung Soo-bin’s performance adds a compelling contrast to Je-Yi, portraying Seul-Ki’s resilience and determination.
The direction by Kim Tae-Hee, along with the co-writing team, effectively captures the tension and intrigue inherent in the narrative. The series deftly balances moments of suspense with the characters’ emotional journeys, keeping viewers engaged and invested in their outcomes. Notably, the drama also explores themes of LGBTQ+ relationships, featuring a groundbreaking same-sex kiss scene that sparked discussions about representation in Korean media.
Visually, "Friendly Rivalry" is stunning, with a polished aesthetic that enhances the drama’s elite setting. The cinematography captures the intricacies of the characters’ lives, from the luxurious school environment to the intense personal conflicts they face.
Overall, "Friendly Rivalry" is a must-watch K-drama that offers a thrilling blend of mystery, romance, and psychological depth. Its strong performances, particularly from Lee Hye-ri, and a well-crafted storyline make it a standout series in the 2025 lineup, appealing to fans who appreciate complex characters and intense emotional narratives.
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This review may contain spoilers
I really loved Friendly Rivalry, it's my favorite Kdrama and I loved episode 4. I'm obsessed and thank you for creating this. I love it because it taught me that out of love you can do anything for the person you love. Seulgi and Jaeyi are in my heart and their connection is very strong. I also hope that Chung Subin and Lee Hyeri do more work together because they have a strong and special connection. I'm thankful to Kim Tae Hee. Was this review helpful to you?
Worth watching
This series left me wanting for more. I really love the dynamic between the characters especially the four main leads. I love how the story is unpredictable and has a lot of plot twists. The actors portrayed their characters really well. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, making their emotional journeys feel deeply personal.The series' thoughtful pacing and character-driven narrative make for a compelling watch. Overall, "Friendly Rivalry" is a standout in its genre, offering a rich and satisfying viewing experience.
Honestly, I don't know what else to say. I'm very hooked and I'm currently on my second rewatch. There's no getting over Yoo Jaeyi. I'm really hoping for a second season!
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This review may contain spoilers
A must-watch well written mystery thriller
This is a mystery-thriller where the central romantic element is between two girls. It's written well and fast paced. It explores sensitivity themes, especially regarding sexuality in teenagers.I've noticed some people call this gl bait due to there being not as much skinship/romance as they wanted. That's because romance is not the main focus. It's something that adds to the main focus and imo, is dealt with as much respect as straight romances get in dramas where romance is not the main theme. This is actually a step forward as they've treated the gl romance as any other romance, not adding skinship where it's not needed. I've also noticed that many people were really angry at the straight make-out dream scene between Jae-i and some dude in ep 5. It servers the element of showing the resentment and conflicting emotions of Choi Gyeong towards Jae-i. People saying straight scenes don't belong in gl dramas are no different from people repulsed by gl scenes. It's a drama that explores complex psychological and sexual themes, and all kinds of relationships coexisting in the same universe is a good thing, not a bad thing. There's no need for segregation.
The cinematography is good and the background score is exceptional, never overshadowing the dialogues and serves to elevate the scenes and emotions. Sometimes, it goes away from logic a bit but not in a way that's not expected from such manhwa based series. It doesn't put you off.
The acting, by everyone, is exemplary. Hyeri has given the performance of a lifetime here. Actually, while she's been criticised for doing the same characters a lot, I've noticed that she's never shied away from looking less than pretty or doing raw facial expressions unlike so many actors/actresses who don't make much expressions to maintain their pretty image. Chung Subin and Oh Woo-ri have also performed very well, it was especially refreshing to see the different look Oh Woo-ri adopted to play her character. All actors involved did their part very well.
Overall, I wasn't bored for a bit while watching this drama. I don't want a season 2, it was wrapped up well. Shorter episodes meant that it wasn't dragged even a bit. Good drama. Might rewatch some time later but not now.
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It’s heartbreaking to witness what both of them had to endure. One lived a life of luxury under the control of a psychopathic father, while the other struggled through hardship, lost their family, and became an orphan. Despite carrying different burdens of pain, their souls resonated with each other, lighting a spark of hope and finding a way to swim out of the depths of misfortune.
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this kind of drama is so unique.
i love the story line, and every cast have a versatile acting this drama is good so good. i love how every cast have a unique performace and having a good quality of acting and fit to their roles, and every cast and stuff did great upon the flow of story and it is so unique and new for korean drama that they really make it into gl, im so thankful that this manhwa adaptation turn into something that very good. lee hyeri and Chung Soo Bin have a phenominal chemistry i love how Yoo Je-I "Lee Hyeri" stair at Woo Suel-Gi "Soo Bin" ahhhhh!! the over over chemistry. looking forward for new episode to be release.Was this review helpful to you?
